Borland acquires global process consulting firm to advance software delivery optimisation

Borland Software Corporation, the global leader for software delivery optimisation solutions, today announced the acquisition of TeraQuest Metrics, Inc, a global process consulting firm based in Austin, Texas.

The acquisition will enable Borland to create one of the industry`s most comprehensive process optimisation practices, leveraging TeraQuest`s deep experience and proven offerings in CMMI, software improvement, quality assurance and risk management.

"Today`s acquisition, our new Process Optimisation Practice and the addition of Borland`s first chief process officer significantly enhances our ability to bring software delivery optimisation to market," said Dale Fuller, CEO and president of Borland Software.

"People at TeraQuest were co-authors of the various Capability Maturity Models (CMM), the industry`s pre-eminent guides for process improvement and the standards by which software organisations` capabilities are measured. TeraQuest`s consultants and process optimisation assets will be an excellent addition to Borland`s best-in-class technology."

The process component that TeraQuest brings to Borland`s existing software delivery optimisation solutions will help organisations more easily align people, processes and technology in the software lifecycle. It is this alignment that can help transform software development from an unpredictable art form into a more managed and repeatable business process.

"TeraQuest has spent the last 12 years partnering with global organisations to strengthen their business and software development processes," said Dr Bill Curtis, co-founder of TeraQuest and now Borland`s chief process officer. "Over the years we`ve learned that successfully improving a software organisation`s effectiveness requires the integration of business, development and deployment teams through a seamless process. We`re excited to combine our process expertise with Borland`s global reach and superior products to offer customers a more complete solution."

"We are seeing increased interest from organisations to drive up productivity and to utilise metrics," states Thomas Murphy, vice-president of the Meta Group. "Vendors that can provide highly productive tools combined with process automation, metrics and training will be best positioned to deliver strong customer value."

Over the years, TeraQuest has provided the Fortune 200 and governments with assessments, consulting, certification, measurement and training to improve software and business operations. TeraQuest will now become a part of Borland`s worldwide services organisation.

"If we can improve the efficiency and quality of software processes, we can help our customers avoid the extensive cost overruns, rework and delays that are common in today`s complex IT environment," said Chris Barbin, Borland`s senior vice-president of worldwide services. "TeraQuest and Borland united offers customers the unparalleled value of linking process with best-in-class technology."

TeraQuest co-founder and chief scientist, Dr Bill Curtis, will become Borland`s first chief process officer. Dr Curtis and other TeraQuest executives will work closely with Borland`s services and R&D teams to apply TeraQuest`s process expertise to Borland`s ongoing product development and implementation efforts.

TeraQuest consultants, who average 25 years of industry experience, will join Borland experts to form the company`s new Process Optimisation Practice. This practice will provide the resources that customers need to develop, extend and deploy software process across the enterprise.

Specific terms of the deal were not disclosed. As a retention mechanism, Borland will issue 86 791 shares of restricted stock and options to purchase an aggregate of 413 000 shares of Borland common stock pursuant to Borland`s 2003 Supplemental Stock Option Plan to TeraQuest employees who are now Borland employees.